NEWS AND VIEWS
We have officially entered “running season” with cool temperatures and much lower humidity. Already we have completed three big races- the Pink Ribbon Run, Run Holden Beach and the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon. Our annual elections are coming up this month. We are getting into the Halloween spirit by sharing treats for special kids. First Strides is going strong- already half done with their fall session. There are no shortages of races to complete- see our list below- several are part of the Grand Prix series. A remember October is safety month- always a good time to review the safety rules for running.
SAFETY TIPS
Carry a phone, a whistle, a headlight and an ID.
Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you will return. Have them track you using a smartphone app if possible.
When using headphones- be sure you can hear your surroundings.
Exercise caution if anyone asks you for directions. If you answer, keep a full arm’s length away.
Face oncoming traffic when running/walking so that you can see approaching vehicles.
If you think you are being followed, change direction and head for open stores or a lighted house.
Don’t engage with verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers.
Jog on a familiar route but vary your daily routes and the time of your run.
Plan your route ahead. Know where safe spaces are located along the course, including businesses and stores that are open.
Run in pairs, in a group, or with a dog when trying out new routes that you are unfamiliar with.
Run in open spaces, away from bushes, parked cars, or alcoves where someone could hide.
Run with confidence. Keep your head up and your eyes alert.
Trust your intuition. If you are unsure about an area or a person or feel unsafe, leave immediately.
Wear reflective material or a lighted vest so motorists can easily see you.
Congratulations to Miho Richardson on completing the Chicago marathon on 10/8/23
o
with an amazing time of 3:03 hrs
Notice of Annual Meeting & Elections of Officers
The Grand Strand Running Club will hold its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 24, for the purpose of electing a President and Treasurer to a 2-year term and to fill the vacant office of Vice-President to serve an unexpired 1-year term.
I, Roscoe Griffin, am running for reelection as President and I have nominated Dawn White to serve as Vice President and Patricia Maccariella-Hafey to serve as Treasurer. All are currently members in good standing and qualified to serve.
Any other candidates wishing to run for one of these offices should contact the Secretary, Angela Boyd, prior to Tuesday, October 17, so an amended list of candidates can be mailed to club members prior to the 7 days required by the GSRC By-Laws.
Nominations, made and seconded by members in good standing, must be accepted from the floor.
Members may vote in person or by absentee ballot. If you cannot attend, please submit your absentee ballot via email to: amboyd95@sccoast.net
Proxy voting is NOT permitted.
The Annual Meeting will be held at the Claire Chapin Epps YMCA at 5000 Claire Chapin Epps Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. For those wishing to join in, there will be a short group run before the meeting, departing from the YMCA at 6:30pm. Upon returning at 7pm, FREE pizza and soft drinks will be served, and the meeting will begin at 7:15pm.
Please help us plan properly and let us know you’ll be there by responding to this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1013503849970622
Join us for this social gathering of your amazing running friends, vote in the election and learn how you can participate in making the GSRC even better than it already is.
HALLOWEEN FUN
The Grand Strand Running Club will be participating in the 2023 Treats for Special Kids event being held at Medieval Times on Friday October 27 from 8:30am to 12:30pm!
Treats for Special Kids is an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to trick or treat in a barrier free environment.
We will need volunteers to dress up in Halloween costumes and members to donate unopened bags of candy to hand out to the roughly 600 participants from local schools and community. You can drop off your candy donations at the annual meeting for elections on Oct.24th or contact James McIlrath for other locations and how to volunteer for the event if interested.
The club has new GSRC hats for sale – $15 and t-shirts for $10. They will be available at the 10/24 election meeting.
First Strides®
The fall session of First Strides is half way to completion of the 12 week course.
The women are going strong and on September 28th, they received their GSRC t-shirts with an official welcome to the club from Roscoe Griffin, president.
We look forward to them becoming active members of our club and congratulate them on their success. Welcome!
The Pink Ribbon Run
Also known as the BFF was held on Sept. 30th at Barefoot Resort in NMB. This race is all about supporting those fighting breast cancer- $8000.00 was raised for two local charities. It is also a race that is dedicated to those that have lost the battle to cancer. It was a sea of pink with both men and women running either a 5K, 10K, 1 miler – some even did all 3 to complete the challenge.
There were both smiles and tears as they past the Survivor Street , Dedication Drive and Shelley’s Lane before crossing the finish line. 
RUN HOLDEN BEACH OCT. 6TH
OCT. 7th 5K, 1/2 marathon and 1 miler
A great race day at Holden Beach, NC. Hundreds of runners/walkers completed their races. and were greeted with cheers, smiles and some bling!
The work crew started early- before sunrise to ensure that everything was ready- no race can happen without the volunteers- much gratitude to them.
The medals and shirts were awesome and the after party with refreshments was lots of fun.
Starting at 7am the streets of downtown Myrtle Beach were filled with hundred of runners who participated in the flat and fast 1/2 marathon or the 5K which ended at the MB boardwalk. The weather was challenging with wind and rain but the racers prevailed. They were greeted at the finish line by family and friends and received their cool surfboard medal. Afterwards they gathered at the Grand Strand Brewery for the post race party to unwind and celebrate their achievements at the award ceremony.
Lannette’s Buttercup Beasties Charity Event
What a truly fabulous event! Lannette’s Buttercup Beasties was held on Sunday October 15th at Fleet Feet in Myrtle Beach. Many of our club members including members of the First Strides® came out in the early hours on a chilly Sunday morning to run/walk to show support for Lannette and to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease. Thanks to Lannette and all that helped her put on this event for such a worthy cause, The Michael J Fox Foundation. It was so much fun and a big success.
UPCOMING RACES
Run Ocean Isle Beach – October 28th
Ocean Isle Beach is a beautiful coastal island in SE North Carolina. Our courses take you through some beautiful communities and the half marathon takes you around most of the island with unforgettable oceanfront views. We host a half marathon, 5K & 1 Mile in late October when the average temperatures are a High of 75 and a Low of 56.
Register at https://coastalraceproductions.com/races/
Saturday, November 4, 2023
8:00am
**FIRST RACE IN THE ROTARY TRIPLE CROWN SERIES!
Join the Rotary Club of Little River for the 15th Annual 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run in Little River, SC! Or choose the virtual option and run/walk with us from your location! Runners and Walkers are all welcome! Our course has very few turns and finishes along the beautiful waterfront in Little River! We’ve added a 1 Mile Fun Run for those not ready to tackle the 5K distance along with a Virtual Option, so we really have something for everyone! For those wanting to challenge themselves while supporting several local Rotary clubs, this race marks the beginning of a 3-leg journey to earn a special finisher gift for participating in all 3 Rotary 5Ks for 2023! Registration links for those races are below.
Please note: The Rotary is one of the sponsors of the GSRC scholarship fund.
https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/LittleRiver/littleriverrotary5k
30th Annual Turtle Strut
Pawleys Island, SC
Saturday, November 4, 2023
8:00am
Join us on Saturday, November 4th for the 30th Annual Turtle Strut 5K/8K/1 Mile Run/Walk. This race is held in memory of Chief Guy Osborne, former Pawleys Island Police Chief who passed away in 2015. Participants will start at the Pawleys Island Nature Park and head south on Myrtle Avenue along the Pawleys Island Creek. 1 Mile participants will continue along the course for half a mile and then turn back toward the finish line. 5K participants will turn around in the Bird’s Nest area of the island while 8K runners will continue down Springs Avenue and enjoy a stunning ocean view. The 8K will turn around at the far south end beach access and head back to the Nature Park toward the finish line. This early morning race will take place on an extremely flat course, with amazing natural beauty. Our race dates are chosen based on the tide charts for the season.
Calabash Turkey Trot
Thursday 11/23/2023 held near the waterfront in downtown Calabash,NC
7:00 am – 10K Start
8:30 am – 5K Start
9:15 am – 1 Mile Start
What’s the best way to start your Thanksgiving day? With a race, of course!
We will have pumpkin pie, awards and a fun time near the Calabash waterfront all morning long. So plan to stay a while watching finishers and hang around for the awards ceremony.
Register at: https://coastalraceproductions.com/race/calabash-turkey-trot/
Three different locations:
17TH ANNUAL MYRTLE BEACH TURKEY TROT 5K
(MARKET COMMON)
RACE START 8:00AM
14TH ANNUAL SURFSIDE ROTARY TURKEY TROT
RACE START 8:00AM
5TH ANNUAL NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
TURKEY TROT 5K
(BAREFOOT LANDING)
RACE START 8:30AM
Register at:https://www.nspromos.com/races#/turkeytrot/
Upcoming races included in Grand Prix series:
Run Ocean Isle Beach 5K 10/28
Run Ocean Isle Beach ½ marathon 10/28
Little River Rotary Club 5K 11/4
Turtle Strut Pawley’s Island 11/4
Surfside Turkey Trot 5k 11/23 * also 2nd race of Rotary Triple Crown series
Calabash Turkey Trot 10K 11/23
Conway Reindeer Run 12/2 * also 3rd race of Rotary Triple Crown series
REMINDER: PLEASE SEND ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU WISH TO HAVE POSTED IN THE NEWSLETTER TO D.GILARDI50@GMAIL.COM BY THE 1ST WEEK OF EACH MONTH. THANK YOU.